“Full Coverage” Car Insurance in North Carolina

Thinking about “full coverage” car insurance in North Carolina? You're not alone—and for good reason. While “full coverage” doesn’t refer to any single policy, it’s a handy term people use to describe a combo of protections: liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. And while it does provide broader protection than basic liability alone, “full coverage” still doesn’t cover everything – no single insurance policy can.

In North Carolina, where you’ve got a mix of busy highways, hurricane threats, and deer crossings galore, that extra protection goes a long way. It’s not just about covering the other guy—it’s about making sure your ride (and wallet) are protected no matter what’s coming down the road.

What is “Full Coverage” Car Insurance in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, “full coverage” car insurance is an informal term that typically refers to a combination of several coverages: liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance.

Liability insurance is required by North Carolina law and pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an at-fault accident. While not mandated by the state, collision and comprehensive coverage can help cover damages to your own vehicle.

Also, it’s important to note that North Carolina is also an at-fault state, which means drivers can file claims against the responsible party’s insurance rather than relying on their own. Because of this, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) isn’t required or even offered. Instead, drivers may opt for Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, which can help pay for medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident.

Liability Coverages

When it comes to state-specific rules, North Carolina requires drivers to carry at least 50/100/50 in liability insurance—meaning $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 per accident, and $50,000 for property damage.

What do these different minimums cover?

• Bodily injury liability: Pays for medical costs or lost wages of other people if you’re at fault in an accident.
• Property damage liability: Covers damage you cause to someone else’s vehicle or property.

Keep in mind that liability insurance only covers damage or injuries you cause to other people or their property—it doesn’t pay for your own medical bills or vehicle repairs. For that, you’ll typically need collision coverage (for crash-related damage) and comprehensive coverage (for non-crash events).

Medical Coverages

In North Carolina, MedPay isn’t required, but many drivers choose to add Medical Payments coverage to their car insurance policy for extra protection. MedPay helps pay for medical expenses for you and your passengers after a covered accident, regardless of fault. This can be especially valuable in North Carolina, where Personal Injury Protection (PIP) isn’t available due to the state’s at-fault insurance system.

Uninsured Motorist Coverages

While many states only require general liability coverage for drivers, North Carolina takes it a step further, requiring Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) protection as well. Specifically, the law mandates that all auto insurance policies include UM coverage, while UIM coverage is required when policy limits exceed the minimum liability requirements. This insurance protects you if you're involved in an accident where the at-fault driver is uninsured, carries insufficient insurance, or flees the scene.

UM/UIM can be broken down into two distinct coverage types:

• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: Covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain/suffering.
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage: Covers damage to your vehicle or property.

Vehicle Coverages

Liability insurance covers the other driver—but what about your own ride? That’s where collision and comprehensive coverage step up. From fender benders to freak storms, these add-ons protect your vehicle (and your finances) from all kinds of damage, making them a key component of “full coverage.”

• Collision coverage: Takes care of repairs to your vehicle after an at-fault accident or a single-car crash. It’s optional for most drivers, but if you’re financing or leasing your car, your lender will likely require it.
• Comprehensive coverage: Safeguards your vehicle from non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather damage (such as hail or flooding). Frequently bundled with collision insurance for "full coverage."

Limitations in Full Coverage

While full coverage covers a wide range of potential scenarios you may experience while owning a vehicle, it doesn’t cover everything. No insurance plan does. It’s important to keep these limitations in mind when piecing together your policy and planning accordingly.

Does North Carolina Require “Full Coverage” Car Insurance?

In North Carolina, "full coverage" insurance is not legally required as the state only mandates liability coverage. However, choosing “full coverage” is a smart decision if you want broader protection. While liability-only insurance keeps costs lower, it does not protect your own vehicle. “Full coverage” offers peace of mind knowing your vehicle and finances are better safeguarded in a wide range of situations. For many drivers in North Carolina, the extra investment in “full coverage” might be worth the stronger protection.

Looking for a ballpark estimate of what your North Carolina car insurance will cost you? Use our free coverage calculator tool to get a better idea of what your premium might be.

Optional Add-Ons to “Full Coverage”

While liability, collision, and comprehensive are the three pillars of full coverage, there are additional options you can incorporate for even more protection.

Other popular add-ons include:

• Towing and Labor Coverage (Emergency Roadside Service): Provides help if you’re stranded due to a flat tire, dead battery, or breakdown.
• Transportation Expense (Rental reimbursement): Helps pay rental costs while your vehicle is being repaired as a result of a covered claim.
• Mechanical breakdown insurance: Covers costs from repairs if your vehicle breaks down, needs replacement parts, or suffers other types of mechanical problems.

Ultimately, you’ll need to evaluate your personal driving habits, vehicle type, and financial situation to decide which of these options—if any—make the most sense for you. Don’t forget to factor in North Carolina’s unique risks—like hurricanes, flooding, and high accident rates in some areas—when choosing extra coverage.

Ways to Save on “Full Coverage” Car Insurance in North Carolina

Putting together a well-rounded car insurance policy doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying an exorbitant premium. With GEICO’s many discount opportunities, it’s never been easier to secure the right protection at the right price.

Check to see if you qualify for any of GEICO’s wide range of discounts, including:

• Multi-policy: Unlock substantial savings when you bundle your property insurance, car insurance, and other coverages through GEICO.
• Safe driver: Maintaining a clean driving record or installing a telematics device in your vehicle can help lower your premium.
• Vehicle safety features: Simply owning a newer vehicle or having functional airbags and seatbelts can bring your costs down significantly.
• Good student: Full-time students with a good academic record can receive up to a 15% discount on certain coverages.
• DriveEasy*: Get rewarded for good driving by participating in the DriveEasy program through the GEICO mobile app.
• Auto pay: Choosing automatic payments means one less thing you need to remember each month and can help you secure savings as well.

H2 - Get a North Carolina Car Insurance Quote Today!

Now that you understand what car insurance is mandated in North Carolina, and what you may still need outside of these minimum requirements, the ball’s in your court. Take the first step and get your free quote from GEICO today!